Why did we do it?

I sometimes wonder why on earth did we do this to ourselves and have the kids so close together. Most of those times are when both kids need something at the same time or neither slept well. I wonder if the small age gap was the best for any of us. And then I see the two of them together and I know why we did it this way. They really are best friends and can't get enough of each other. Sure, they fight over the same toy and drive me nuts, but when I see them playing together it all makes sence. I anticipated jealousy from Nathan when Charlie was born, but that was never the case. The only problem we found was he wanted to be near her all the time. I can see it in both of thier eyes how much they love each other. All I can hope for is that they stay this way forever, best friends, allies and playmates.

Angel's Wings

For Nathan's birthday party we asked our guests to bring donations for Angel's Wings, an emergency respite program for abused and neglected children ages birth to twelve, in lieu of gifts. We are so lucky and blessed to have so much I wanted to share with children who aren't as lucky as ours. It is also very important to Jon and I to teach Nathan and Charlie kindness and giving for the greater good. Nathan and I went together to take the collected items to Angel's Wings.

Angel's Wings said that while they could use anything for children they had a special need for larger sized pull ups for the older children who had been through severe trauma and bed wet as well as infant formula and food. It broke my heart that they needed those basic items over toys for the children.

Little Miss Independent

Charlie has come around somewhat to solids. We are doing one small meal in the evenings to help keep her full through the night and leaving it at that for the time being. She doesn't seem to want or need breakfast as well.

My independent little girl would much prefer to feed herself than have me do it. If she is this independent at 7 months, what in the world are we in for during the teen years?

Six months old

Charlie is six months old now. She went in for her check up and is in perfect health. She weighed 18lbs 9ounces, up 3pounds since her 4 month check putting her in the 95%. She has grown an inch in height since 4 months. I forget what her exact height measurement is. I really should have written it down.

We are opting to spread vaccinations out a bit to avoid too many at one time. Yesterday Charlie got 3 shots. With each shot, she gave a small protest, but looked at Dr. Byrnes and laughed. He said she is one of his easiest patients.


We decided not to push the solids since Charlie is obviously thriving and my milk is having no problem keeping up with her demands. Dr. Byrnes said she would be fine to have nothing other than breast milk until a year. Hopefully I can convince her to expand her pallet before then!

Our adventure at the aquarium

Yesterday our friend Maureen was kind enough to use her membership to get us and a few other friends into the Adventure Aquarium in Camden. Though we only saw a small portion of it, we had a good time. We were hoping that since it was Spring Break, it would be less crowded as there would be no school trips. That was not the case. The whole place was filled with a lot of families looking for some good quality time.

Olivia, Robert, Nathan and Gracie standing in front of all the babies

Tiernan didn't want to be a part of the group shot Checking ot the sharks with Gracie

Watching the hippos

Charlie's first taste of food

The difference between the kids amazes me. Nathan, the small, skinny one gobbled down his first solid meal. Charlie, the larger model, wanted nothing to do with her cereal. She made awful faces and pushed it out of her mouth. I thought for sure she would eat whatever I gave her. I can't say she wasn't hungry, she nursed great right after. I guess I just have a girl who knows what she likes, Mama's milk straight from the tap!

Not a fan!

Dying Easter Eggs

Today, Nathan and his friend Robert dyed Easter eggs. Nathan and Robert had fun. Charlie and Robert's baby brother Ben screamed. Jenn, Robert's mom and I tried to relax and enjoy craft time with preschoolers.

The babies did not have nearly as much fun as the preschoolers did!

First the boys colored the eggs with crayons

Nathan had no problem diving right in and getting his hands dirty.

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Nathan was two yesterday, and when you ask him how old he is, he says "two!" and holds up the index finger on each hand... interesting. As a birthday celebration, Nathan and his friends, Gracie ("Nay Nay") and Robert ("Ralph") went to get their pictures taken. Unfortunately, because of a long line at the picture place and impending nap times, Gracie had to leave and all of the kids started to melt down. They did get one good picture of Nathan and Robert (see above), but I am told that they are going back next week to try again on pictures of Nathan, Charlie, Grace and all the kids together. I'm sure Andi will post more birthday pictures (including Nathan eating his birthday cupcake) later.

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead...

"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead..." is the book I am currently reading about one of my favorite musicians of all time - Warren Zevon. And when I say "reading", I mean in 5 - 10 minute intervals as I watch Charlie play on her play mat or try to get her to sleep in her swing. Coincidentally, it is also how Andi and I feel after a week of both of us having strep, Nathan getting over a runny nose and cough, and Charlie having bronchiolitis and deciding it get up every two hours or so to have a nice cough. So I just got Charlie back to sleep in the swing, but now I hear Nathan banging on his crib that he wants out... oh well.

No, I didn't play with Nicky

Nathan goes to school with three little boys close to his age. Through out the week all I hear is Sean, Mason, Mason, Sean. When I pick him up from school it is Mason this and Sean that. I was asking him if he played with Nicky, the other little boy. He always said "No!". I would then say "Nathan, you did play with Nicky" and he would again say "No!" I assumed that his "nos" were just toddler behavior and he really did play with Nicky.

Well, as it turns out, Nathan was right all along. The kid's name is not Nicky, it's Micky. He didn't play with Nicky, he played with Micky. So now when I pick him up, he tells me about his day and I ask if he played with Micky he jabbers on about something I cannot yet understand but he doesn't say "No!"

My Little Jumping Bean

If you listen closely, in the background you can hear what Charlie is dancing to, Joni Mitchel. Thats my girl!

Trip to the doctor's office

A sickness has been making its way around the Katz house. Charlie started it and now it has made its way to me and Nathan. Poor kid has been so snotty. Sadly, he was too sick yesterday to go to school. We were already heading to Dr. Byrnes's office for round two of Charlie's two month shots. I called and they were able to get Nathan in at the same time.

Taking the two of them anywhere at the same time is difficult at best. Since Nathan begins his doctor office hysterics before we even get inside, I knew this was not a trip for one adult, I needed a helper. Thankfully Aunt Anna Mae was up for being tortured and came along as my helper. Really, I don't know what I would do without her.

Nathan did better than expected and Charlie was her usual laid back self. We were given a decongestant for Nathan which has a side effect of dizziness and drowsiness. Extra sleep Thats a bonus and not a side effect! He was so sleepy after his first dose, he laid down on the floor and could bearly lift his head to say hi to daddy when he got home.

Nathan is doing much better. Good enough to go to school tomorrow, I hope!

Really at stay at home mom, now

As of January 1, my real estate license is no longer active. I no longer have a desk in my office or have an office for that matter. No more voice mail, work email or mailbox (none of which I ever checked anyway). I haven’t worked very much since Nathan was born, but so long as I had an active license I could say I still had a job. Now, I am officially a SAHM.

This next part is a shameless plug, but hey, we can all use a little extra money in today's economy, right? Even though my license is no longer considered active, I do still have it. It went into the Coldwell Banker Referral Network. Wherever you live or want to live, I can refer you to an agent and receive a fee, paid by the agent, not you. I still keep in close contact with William Chulamanis, the agent I worked with (when I had a job :)). He is a fabulous agent and who I will refer you to if you are moving to or from the Princeton area (including Mercer County and parts of Northern Burlington County). Check out his website at http://www.williamrealestate.com/.

Odd eating habits of a toddler

To put it nicely, Nathan is not a big eater. Well, I should take that back. He would gladly eat "sna" (snacks) and "cooks" (cookies) all day if I let him. Since I would like him to eat a healthier diet, I don't allow snacks and cookies all day. If were really as hungry as he makes it sound when he begs and tantrums for cookies then he would eat the jelly sandwich, macaroni and cheese or whatever else I have offered.

I can't even say lunch is hit or miss. Its just miss. I have tried varous foods, the timing of it, everything I can think of and the kid just won't eat! Not even pizza with his buddies at Chuck E Cheese! Today was what I would consider a success, he ate blueberries for lunch.

Up until last week, he refused to use a spoon. He still doesn't use it with any regularity. But, he hates when his hands get messy. He holds his hands up and says "Mess mess" and asks for a napkin. One would think he would be much more inclined to use a spoon if he is so upset by messy hands

I can't complain too much, the past two nights he has passed on his meat and starch at dinner, but ate all of his broccoli and aspargus. The rest will come in time?

Charlie's first bottle

Charlie successfully took her first bottle yesterday. It is a bit bittersweet. Being able to go out without her is nice, but after Nathan's blatent preference for the bottle, it is a bit scary. I wasn't sure if we would even offer it at all since the breastfeeding is going so well and I just don't feel like pumping!

Our first post

Even before Nathan was born, I had this idea that I would keep a journal about my pregnancy, how I was doing and feeling, and then Nathan's first months, milestones, etc. Well having a baby (and then a toddler) kind of puts a crimp in one's plans. Then, of course, having baby number two doesn't help with freeing up time to write, either. Since the journal idea obviously hasn't worked out so well, I thought this would be an easy way to do chronicle the days and nights of the Katz Kids, not to mention keep our family and friends updated and in the loop as to the dirty life and times of Nathan and Charlie.

I would write more, but this is the first post and all, and I don't want to preempt our X-Mas 2008 letter (which you should all get sometime in March!).